Crimea Fallout: Will Grassroots Boycotts of Russian Vodka Catch On?

Russian Standard is among the brands taken off shelves at Big Johnson Liquor and Beer.

Jonathan Welsh

Outrage over Russia moving troops into Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula is sparking some grassroots boycotts of Russian vodka in the U.S.

For example, you won’t be able to get Russian vodka at Big Johnson Liquor and Beer in Abilene, Texas. Owner Johnny Johnson is among a number of liquor-store proprietors who have taken Russian vodka off their shelves as a protest against Russia’s policies in Ukraine.

“I don’t know how much of an effect a little guy in Texas can have, but I wanted to make a statement. I hope others will follow our lead,” Johnson said. Johnson said many of his customers are military service people at nearby Dyess Air Force Base. He also said there are Vodkas made in Texas that he hopes will fill shelves left empty by his removal of Russian brands.

Bob’s Liquors in Knoxville, Tenn., has also stopped selling Russian Vodka. “We took it off the shelves about two weeks ago, when the saber-rattling got serious,” said Jim Campbell, a store worker.

It is not clear how many stores are taking part in what appears, so far, to be a limited grassroots protest. There have also been a number of tweets on Twitter calling for a boycott. “Friends don’t let friends buy #Russian vodka,” tweeted iFirebrand.

Officials with the American Beverage Licensees, a trade group that represents liquor retailers, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.